On Monday 21 February, Stephen spoke in the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill's Remaining Stages debate and pressed the Government to introduce shariah-compliant student finance.
A significant number of Muslim young people do not apply to study at university because the only form of student finance available involves payment of interest, which is not shariah-compliant. In 2014, the Government consulted on Alternative Student Finance for students and committed to offering support for students who feel unable to take interest-bearing loans for religious reasons.
In December 2021, the Government said it has been considering an Alternative Student Finance product, within wider reforms to Higher Education. An update is expected alongside the conclusion to the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding.
In the House of Commons on Monday, Stephen explained how this delay to introduce Alternative Student Finance is impacting thousands of Muslim young people, who wish to study at university but are being prevented from doing so. He said “some Muslim young people defer university until they have saved to pay the fees outright. Some, with a very heavy heart, take out a loan and feel bad about it ever after. Some do not attend at all. This is the reality facing young British Muslims today.”
You can watch Stephen’s full speech below.